Today I have the lovely Elodie Parkes with me, discussing her newest novel The Winter Girlwhich is set for release this Friday. Elodie writes erotica and contemporary romance, and is a wonderful writer, who cleverly incorporates suspense and mystery with romance. If you haven't read any of her work before then you are missing out. I was lucky enought to beta read her last novel The Last Time and thoroughly enjoyed it.

She's currently running a competition to win an e-copy of her latest book The Winter Girl, so hop on over to her blog after reading the interview and enter to win.

Where did you grow up? Hastings, Christchurch and CanterburyWhen did you start writing? When I was seventeen.What made you start writing? Friends who liked my stories and meeting people who inspired storied with their circumstances.Is it something that you have always wanted to do? No I wanted to be all kinds of things as I grew up mostly to do with animals or plants but then at University went in a different direction. Writing was a kind of hobby at first.What is your favourite genre to read, and do you have any favourite books or authors you would like to recommend? I read many different genres. Currently I’m reading The Game Of Thrones series. I read paranormal romance, mysteries, detective series, erotic romance, contemporary romance,science fiction and reference books. I read so widely I have no favorite authorsWhat about to write? I write contemporary romance, usually erotic with a twist of something such as paranormal, magic, suspense, mystery.Do you write full time? If not, what do you do? I have to work a day job as the saying goes. I’m a salesperson in an antiques shop.

Do you ever base your characters on anyone that you know, or are they solely from your imagination? I never actually know the person but I sometimes find myself with an idea because I have met in passing a person with interesting circumstances.

ABOUT YOUR BOOK

Tell us about your latest book. The story/plot. The Winter Girl , releasing from Hot Ink Press June 14 Lily Prescott is only just over a relationship break up when she decides to take up residence in a house left to her by her recently deceased grandmother. Her corporate law job takes a back seat as she licks her wounds in the small country town. She looks around the main shopping street and discovers people who will befriend her, but she also runs into the town’s most eligible bachelor and secret bad boy, Starr Forrester. Loved for his lifelong association with the town, Starr hides his methods for staying single well from his friends. He’s nearly thirty, gorgeous, a designer, owns a business and on the lookout for his ‘Winter Girl’…. Will it be Lily? What is a ‘Winter girl’? Fun, sex, romance and a little twist of the paranormal, makes this a must read. 18+What gave you the idea? Lately I’ve been sent to buy and bring back items for the antiques emporium where I work. The Winter Girl is inspired by a place I stopped for lunch. The country town is in the middle of a huge stone circle and surrounding ring ditch. A road runs right through and is quite busy, but in good weather, the place buzzes with tourists from all over the world. There is a main street with little shops and cafés. It’s not quite as big as the place I create for the setting of the book, but it’s gorgeously quaint and steeped in history. I found the characters of my book unfolding in my mind as I walked around the place, and especially my leading male character Starr Forrester. I would have loved to meet a real Starr Forrester there, but didn’t. I’m in love with him at the moment he’s so sexy, creative, clever, and naughty… There was a new age shop there on the main street and it had rows of trays with many different semi-precious stones in them. There were little cards with the meaning and properties of each stone printed on there, which added to my inspiration. The book has a touch of magic, but is contemporary erotic romance.

What genre is it? Erotic contemporary romance with a twist of magic.

Who is your favourite character? I do love Starr the male lead but actually I love Lily too she’s very strong, and knows what she wants. There’s another character too, Jen, she’s a friendly person who embodies lots of friendship qualities for the book.

And worst? I don’t have a worst character. (Now I'm intrigued!)

What are your hopes for it? Well…I’d like it read and loved by everyone of course☺What’s the next project that you’re working on? I’m working on an anthology call right now. An erotic romance shifter short. Something I surprised myself by writing.What’s the best piece of advice that you have been given in regards to your writing? To keep going against all the odds and any negative views, that if I love writing then I need to do it, and that’s true, I become unhappy when I’m not writing.* * * * * * * * * * * * *

♥♥I hope that you enjoyed learning about Elodie and her new book, she'll be back tomorrow to give us some more insights into her writing♥♥